Calaveras Big Trees state park, April/May 2003

John on the Big Stump, which is 25 feet (or 7.3 meters) in diameter!
909x685, 138.5K, 2003/04/28

The Big Stump again and the actual fallen tree
909x685, 135.9K, 2003/04/28

A Giant Sequioa
685x909, 113.8K, 2003/04/28

Andrea in a Sequoia
685x909, 148.0K, 2003/04/28

Andrea standing between two Giant Sequoias
685x909, 118.6K, 2003/04/28

This Sequoia is called The Old Bachelor and you can see the holes that woodpeckers have made.
336x900, 84.0K, 2003/04/28

Some nice (but mad) cyclists took this for us.
909x685, 123.8K, 2003/04/28

This tree, Hercules, was one of the largest in the grove. It was blown over during a violent windstorm in December 1861.
909x685, 104.8K, 2003/04/28

This is from inside the Father of the Forest. It was hollowed out by fire and is now slowly decomposing.
909x685, 119.4K, 2003/04/28

The Mother of the Forest.
685x909, 115.8K, 2003/04/28

Another close up of the Mother of the Forest.
685x909, 163.1K, 2003/04/28

A mix of different trees grows in Calaveras.
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A Giant Sequoia in front of little trees.
909x685, 164.3K, 2003/04/28

Inspired by the Wowona tunnel tree in Yosemite, the owners did the same to this tree. The opening has reduced the ability of the tree to resist fire and it only just manages to survive.
685x909, 123.4K, 2003/04/28

Two of the largest Sequoias in the grove with diameters of over 17 ft (5.2m) - and John in front (6 ft tall).
685x909, 160.1K, 2003/04/28

Sequoias have a soft, fibrous, lovely bark, which grows up to 2 feet (60cm) thick and provides protection from fire.
909x685, 186.7K, 2003/04/28